I want to move to California (San Francisco), but... (Sacramento: scorpions, live)

[tikkasf]

The most common spider I have seen (at least the ones that show up indoors) is daddy long legs. I don't like spiders.....but, for whatever the reason, this species does not bother me.......I can see one right now, in the wall corner near my desktop PC



I concor with the comment by a poster..."can you afford it? If you are planning to rent, the good news is there has been a fare size drop in average rent in SF due to a increase in the vacancy rate . Bad news is that rents are still very high in SF.
If you do rent an apt in SF, a apt bldg that is covered by rent control law will protect you from from any steep rent increases, when and if there is a rebound in rents. Not all apt bldg are covered by rent control and you will be paying current market rate to move in.
https://www.sfweekly.com/news/san-fr...keep-dropping/


https://bungalow.com/articles/rent-c...u-need-to-know


If you have the $$$ to purchase a home (whether a house or condo) lot is on the market for sale

[nobodysbusiness]

OP! I totally relate to your arachnophobia - I have it too, with the addition of coach roach phobia.

I think you'll be good in SF.

I live on the coast and we do have Black Widows, but it's not a big problem.

SF is much preferable to Sacramento, especially weather-wise.

[emwynters7]

Originally Posted by KNPV PSD

https://www.pleasantonweekly.com/pri...f-mount-diablo


Not to scare you, but to educate...

Thanks for that! Not sarcastic, but really.

[davdaven]

Originally Posted by KNPV PSD

https://www.pleasantonweekly.com/pri...f-mount-diablo

Mount Diablo is quite a ways away from SF, and San Francisco Bay (and Oakland and a bunch of suburbs) are between them. We have a variety of spiders here in Richmond, but nothing too troubling. My S.O. grew up in SF proper and is not a fan of spiders, but there aren't many around. Most common is probably the daddy long legs, and they really aren't noteworthy. I don't even bother taking them outside unless they are in the way of something I'm doing.

[emwynters7]

Originally Posted by tikkasf

The most common spider I have seen (at least the ones that show up indoors) is daddy long legs. I don't like spiders.....but, for whatever the reason, this species does not bother me.......I can see one right now, in the wall corner near my desktop PC



I concor with the comment by a poster..."can you afford it? If you are planning to rent, the good news is there has been a fare size drop in average rent in SF due to a increase in the vacancy rate . Bad news is that rents are still very high in SF.
If you do rent an apt in SF, a apt bldg that is covered by rent control law will protect you from from any steep rent increases, when and if there is a rebound in rents. Not all apt bldg are covered by rent control and you will be paying current market rate to move in.
https://www.sfweekly.com/news/san-fr...keep-dropping/


https://bungalow.com/articles/rent-c...u-need-to-know


If you have the $$$ to purchase a home (whether a house or condo) lot is on the market for sale

Thanks! I know rent on SF is super high, and I don’t plan on moving yet due to this. I’m about to finish college, and even with my degree, I plan on getting a roommate or two. The rent rates? Not new information, but I appreciate you telling me!

[nuggznsauce]

San Francisco has long been considered one of the lgbtq+ hot spots in the USA since at least the 70s.

As far as spiders; never seen anything other than daddy long legs and small garden spiders outside.

You really should read up on San Francisco like other posters suggested. Most people have a pretty strong opinion of it and it may not be for everyone. Personally I find the Bay Area is a gem and has so many cool opportunities and options. Great food, colorful people, and lots of outdoor opportunities within the city.

Most of the West coast is lgbtq friendly compared to the midwest. See if you can take a road trip through California first or take the Amtrak through to San Francisco/San Jose. California is a huge state; the Bay Area is also pretty massive when you actually visit. It's really awesome and I wish you good luck!

[gone down south]

I personally wouldn't move here right now, the cost/benefit ratio is way out of whack - SF is coasting on it's rep from the 60s and 70s, and the wave of tech money more recently has completely upended the ability of "normal people" to afford it.

Who knows what post-COVID life is going to be like, but based on what you get for your money there are much better options up and down the West Coast.

[NW4me]

Illinois is hardly 'the middle of nowhere' -- you've got one of the country's biggest metro areas there.
And it's actually said to be a (comparative) bargain among US big cities, and has a lively LGBT community
(just going by what people say here on CD.... I haven't lived there; I couldn't tolerate the winters!).

By all means, relocate to SF if the spirit moves you.
However, be ready for some housing sticker shock.
SF rents are said to be dropping, owing of course to the pandemic.
But they're probaby still among the highest in the country.

[nobodysbusiness]

I see you are also saying you're going to school in St. Louis this year?

Interesting.

[Bayarea4]

Actually rents are down in San Francisco (due to all the work-from-home folks moving to the suburbs). But it may not last, as this article from SF Gate explains. So if you're coming, get here as soon as you can.

San Francisco Rent Closes Out Year Down 27%